here is a place where I can share my bike experiences and all things related...Ride on!

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Rider Profile Stanley Lim

Me and my crew!

1) Tell me about your day job and age
Hi! I am Stanley! I am 38 years old this year. I am current a Communication cluster chief on board a frigate in Republic of Singapore Navy.

Cycling makes me happy and relaxed

2) What you feel about cycling?
Cycling is one activity which makes me feel happy and relaxed after a day of hectic schedule and work. Personally, I will classified cycling into 2 category. First is leisure and social. I always look forward to Sunday LCSG where I can meet new friends and explore Singapore in a whole new manner. 2nd is fitness. I am a person who dislike physical activities. From the day I picked up this hobby, it has improved my health and fitness level. Not only did I managed to clear all my FFI and IPPT in a single attempt, I felt happier. (Maybe it is because of the adrenaline released)

3) What was the first memory of u cycling?
I was first exposed to cycling at the age of 6. On my birthday, my dad bought me a BMX (red). I was left in the basketball court to pick up the skill of cycling on my own. Within a day I managed to cycle around my neighbourhood. Knowing it's effective, I applied the same technique on my kids while I relaxed in a corner and surfed the net. True enough, the kids picked up cycling within 2 hours.

During my primary school days, my friend Weiqi and I will save our pocket money to rent a bike at Bishan park. Cost about $4 for 3 hours at that point of time. We will cycle as far as the bicycle can take us.

On 17 Apr 2012, I saw a newspaper article on a promotion for AEON foldable bike at $390. Managed to convinced my wife to take up this sport together and we went to "My Bike Shop" in the west to check it out. I got her a last piece of green AEON but didn't manage to get one for my own. As most of the economic bike were all out of stock, I got myself a Dahon D7. (In my personal opinion bike exceeding $200 are on the high end side compare to those in giant and Carrefour). The bike was upgraded (for efficiency) over time and is current passed on to my boy.

4)When you met LCSG – How was it like and how you meet us?
- After I gotten my bike, I actively searched on Facebook for a group to join. I first came across PNR (just about 2months old) on Facebook. I decided to give it a try as its near my place. It was a joke that day. Saw one rider(Hardy) with a foldie at the traffic light and went forward to ask him. "Are you going for a group ride?" He answered" yes I am. You are a new rider? Come join me." I followed him to Popeye and gosh! There were so many groups gathering at Popeye.
Without asking much as I am unsure, we rode with a group all the way to Jalan Kayu. I had a hard time playing catch up as they were travelling at at a speed of 20kmph. After sitting down chatting, I realised I joined the wrong group.
Chelsea and Alan welcome me to their ride and join the group LCSG. At the moment of time i was like.... what the hell am I doing? They recommended me to LCSG page and that’s how I was exposed to this group.
The first event I went with my friend Pyron was LCSG 2nd year Round island. All groups were formed however i went ahead to try, not knowing what i am up for and this word gate crash.
Despite gate crashing, Taiwoon welcomed both of us with open arms. He advised us to join group 4 at speed 20kmph. That's one of the worst nightmare and toughest activity of my life. Despite the distance and heat, we managed to complete the round island (105km) with encouragement from the team mates. Andy did the most job. Poor Andy.
That was the time, I started to join weekly LCSG ride and made lots of friends there.

Doing the Epic ride

As time goes by, my passion for cycling grew. On 10 Oct 2013, I got myself a road bike (Lynskey R340) after multiple poison arrows from my kakis Pei Sze and gang. I started to do longer distance ride and events. The 2 major event I took part since then are EPIC 2014 and 2016. In this event we are required to ride 1000km (4 days) to raise funds for the kidney dialysis patient. Although it's tough, but for charity, why not. With this trusty titanium bike, we also start to ride further overseas and conquer mountains organised by our group (EGBC- Encik George bike club) led by Encik George Lim

With my friends cycling up Wulin!

After 2 years to road bike, I realised cycling is not about speed and distance. I decided to fall back to the root on where I first began. As I have passed on my Dahon to my son, I went to MIGHTY VELO to get myself a Brompton.
The passion of cycling flows in again. Whenever I am sick and tired of the profile of a roadie, I will fall back on my Brompton taking life slow.

After 2 years of road biking, I decided to contribute back to LCSG. (This group made me love cycling). I requested from Taiwoon to host LCSG Friday weekly Round island for those interested to ride long distance. The focus will be for those who just took up road biking. It's a tiring task and I hope I can hold on and help as far as I can go till someone step up.

5. Your steel horses – names and more details
The bikes I still have with me till date

BLUE STREAK- Dahon D7 born in 17 Apr 2012. Bike have been passed on to son.

FALCON1 – Lynskey R340 Titanium road bike born in 10 Oct 2013

DORAEMON– Brompton 6 speed born in 01 Apr 2014.
- I always call my bike by name as I feel more closely knitted with them. Before I buy the bike the project name come first. The bike I choose have to be close to the project name I chose.

7. What I’ve learnt since Day 1 joining LCSG
- LCSG is like a family to me. I gain lots of knowledge on bike skills, maintenance and history of Singapore better. I also learn to take care, lead and coach new cyclist to love cycling.

8) Where is your favorite stretch to ride?
My favourite stretch to ride are Punngol park, MBS, Boat Quay and Orchard area regardless day or night.

9) Do u cycle-commute to work? If so can you share the route
I only tried cycling to work twice. The route which I took is as follows:
Punggol - Pasir Ris farmway- pasir Ris drive 3- loyang Ave - changi coastal road- tanah merah coast road - changi naval Base.

10) Would you want to cycle to work?
Yes i would. The reason I hesitated to bike to work is because there are too many heavy vehicle on the one lane traffic at Tanah Merah coast road. Maybe will try again in the near future as I see that Npark have pathed a stretch of PCN all the way to Changi yatch club.

11) Do you cycle with your family and loved ones. Where do you ride?
Yes. My kids always look out for new and fun rides in LCSG. When my boy and girl reach the age of 6, I brought them to a mini round island (80km). During the days where they have no tuition, I will bring them to ride with LCSG. The most recent ride with LCSG is riding to Vivo City from Punggol and then to Sentosa. They love it. Too bad my spouse do not like riding.

12) Any advice for folks just starting out?For those who just take up cycling, try to find a group of friends who share the same interest. This group of friends can jio you for makan or leisure rides. They are also motivators in your cycling journey. It's easier to hold this passion of yours with a group of friends sharing the same interest. Poison and cycling tips will flow in thereafter.

About Me

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I like bike and things with wheels.
I also like my SG food very much and want to share good eats with my friends...
In addition,I want to capture the old and neglected part of Singapore, before all they turn into Shopping centers and Starbucks cafes..
Lastly, I am also one of the "indian chiefs" of lovecycling.sg We organize rides for people who like to see our lovely sunny island.
If u are interested to join me... leave me a note at twwoon@singnet.com.sg or on my blog.Folks from overseas are also welcome. We have a community of riders who love to meet and ride with u!
Note: all the articles and photos are not to shared without my consent. Thanks